Chief Andy C. Okocha (JP)
… Pushes for 1st African Swimming Championship To Celebrate Tinubu
Chairman/CEO, A. C OKOCHA Group of companies, Chief Andrew Chukwudi Okocha (JP) and International Project Patron of forthcoming 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship in honour of Chairman, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Nigeria’s President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has lauded ECOWAS Head of States for re-electing him as chairman of the sub-regional body for a second term in office on Sunday.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Chief Okocha, owner of A.C.Okocha Motors Ltd, Acom Tech Ltd, ViviPat Ltd and A.C Okocha Farms, noted that President Tinubu’s actions have fostered culture of diversity, equity, and provided opportunities for all citizens within ECOWAS countries, describing him is a leader who could make tough decisions and stand by them, with the readiness to take full responsibility for such actions and decisions.
He said Tinubu’s self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills to build strong teams around the ECOWAS region have been the magic wand that has characterised his leadership in the sub-region.
“His visionary leadership qualities have always inspired trust in his ability to drive progress in the sub-region with a view to leaving a lasting positive impact as chairman of ECOWAS because he has a clear understanding of the goal of the sub-regional body and the roadmap for achieving it.
“President Tinubu possesses the ability to navigate crises and maintain stability. He has the capacity to pivot in response to changing circumstances because of his effective listening and communication skills with which he inspires and unites people, coupled his skillful negotiation and international relations qualities which enable him to navigate complex challenges and find innovative solutions.
“He is a leader with unwavering commitment to ethical principles and transparency, having the ability to understand and relate to diverse perspectives and needs, which make him to always stand out amongst his colleagues as ECOWAS chairman,” Chief Okocha asserted.
Meanwhile, the International Director of Planning and Implementation for the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship, Dr. Godwin Tammy N has said that the event would draw swimmers and aquatic sport stakeholders from 32 African countries that would converge on Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Teritory to participate in the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship, tagged, ‘Peace and Progress’ in honour of ECOWAS chairman and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
According to Dr. Tammy, the continental water sport competition was being put together under the lead role of Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and facilitated by Africa Aquatics, Zone 2, Dakar, Senegal and Demakers Business Roundtable Abuja, in appreciation of the charismatic leadership and growing regional influence of the ECOWAS chairman, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu during turbulent times in the sub-region.
He expressed deep appreciation to Rt. Hon. Abbas for his commitment towards youth sports development, saying that the 1st. African International Invitational Swimming Championship would be a moment of aquatic sport festivity in the Federal Capital Teritory, Abuja.
While enlisting the massive support from Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator Akume towards Africa’s 1st Invitational Swimming Championship in honour of a president in the continent, Dr. Tammy said his ability to inspire and achieve his vision for Nigeria has been the driving force behind the forthcoming aquatic championship in Abuja.
“Senator George Akume has served in many roles in the government, from being a governor to being a senator, and is considered one of the most experienced political leaders in Nigeria. Akume is committed to serving the people of Nigeria. Akume is considered a man of integrity and is admired for his philanthropy, leadership, and humility,” Dr. Tammy said.
He hinted that Minister of the Federal Capital Teritory (FTC), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike will host of the championship, being organised in collaboration with relevant institutions within and beyond the African continent, informing that it was the first of its kind ever, organised by Africa Aquatics to honour an African leader.
“It promises to be an exciting moment of glory, laced with blissful ectacsy, finese and alluring quality of talents as over five thousand male and female swimmers from 32 African countries will converge on the beautiful city of Abuja to fight for Africa’s best swimming crown. The tournament will also attract a collection of regional sports stakeholders and investors that are committed to developing and empowering youth sport,” Dr. Tammy said.
It would be recalled that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, while receiving the trophy from Africa Aquatics in Abuja for formal presentation to Mr. President, had noted that sport creates job opportunities for the youth, either directly or indirectly in various other sectors, such as infrastructure and services, transportation, accommodation, and security which in turn, help to reduce unemployment, improve household income levels as well as boosting economic growth.
The Speaker had maintained that the 1st African Invitational Swimming Championship would be another platform to discover credible talents that could represent Nigeria at international championships, reiterating that the event would inspire all levels and age grades to participate competitively in a secure environment where participants would be imbued with values such as teamwork, patriotism and courage.